Court strikes down measure that limits business hours

A state Supreme Court decision Friday struck down city zoning and neighborhood ordinances that limit hours business can operate.

In a statement, Mayor Thomas Richards said the city would obtain an automatic stay of the ruling and appeal. He said it was a quality-of-life issue for neighbors.

Obsession Bar and Grill sought a special use permit for a bar and restaurant at 564-568 Chili Ave., where current zoning limited operating hours to between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. The city granted a variance but limited weekday hours to midnight, allowing weekend hours to extend until 2 a.m.

The business sued. The court decided that state liquor law takes precedence, and that the city code is "null and void insofar as it attempts to regulate alcohol sales and consumption."